Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin Examines Medicaid Costs in Broome, County, New York

The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin last week examined the difficulty Broome County, New York, is having "keep[ing] up" with Medicaid costs. In New York state, counties are responsible for about 25% of the state's total Medicaid costs, a proportion higher than that of least 30 other states, according to the New York State Association of Counties. Broome County's share of Medicaid expenses is expected to rise to $32 million next year, at least $6 million more than this year. Much of that increase can be attributed to the rising number of people applying for Medicaid benefits; the number of applications is expected to increase from 21,000 this year to 23,000 next year. Robert Houser, commissioner of the county Department of Social Services, said his agency has become a focus of taxpayers' ire, mostly because an expansion of Medicaid in the county is expected to fuel much of a potential 33% increase in county taxes next year. "The state's goal to provide health insurance to more and more New Yorkers is a good one, but this stuff has to be paid for by the taxpayers. Every time they expand the program, we pay more," Houser said (Ivan, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, 8/5).

Medicaid Savings Ahead?
A provision in the generic drug bill (S 812) recently passed in the Senate could save Broome County $1.7 million in Medicaid costs if it becomes law, but local officials do not expect the savings to come until 2004, the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin reports. The measure would require the federal government to "eventually" increase its share of Medicaid expenses from 50% to 54%. Speaking during a visit to Binghamton on Aug. 1, Sen Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that the House will likely vote on the bill in mid-September. However, the Broome County budget will be submitted to local lawmakers for final review in the third week of September. Terrence Kane, Broome County's deputy county executive, said, "Eventually, [the bill] will make a difference. But I don't think it will pass in time for to budget it [in 2003]" (Ivan, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, 8/9).